UNP talks end well, but decision unclear

The highly anticipated talks between United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and deputy leader Sajith Premadasa last night ended on a positive note, although the final decision on the party’s presidential candidate remains unclear.

Speaking to reporters outside Temple Trees around 10.45pm yesterday, Premadasa said the discussion was a success and the results of the talks will materialise over the next few days.

He did not confirm that he would definitely be named the candidate for the 2020 presidential poll. Fielding questions from reporters, a somewhat tired-looking Premadasa said talks would continue into the latter half of this week.

Premadasa loyalist Dr. Harsha de Silva, however, tweeted that agreement was reached to finalise the nomination of Premadasa as the candidate in a few days upon discussion with the constituent parties of the UNP-led United National Front (UNF).

The two leaders were joined by Ministers Malik Samarawickrama, Kabir Hashim and Ranjith Madduma Bandara, who had accompanied Premadasa to the meeting, and Minister Rajitha Senaratne who had come in with Wickremesinghe.